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Biographical entry Mountford, Charles Pearcy (1890 - 1976)

OBE

Born

9 May 1890Hallett, South Australia, Australia

Died

16 December 1976Norwood, South Australia, Australia

Occupation

Ethnologist and Author

Summary

Charles Pearcy Mountford was Honorary Assistant in Ethnology from 1935 at the South Australian Museum and Acting Ethnologist in 1938. He joined the Postmaster-General's Department in Adelaide as an engineer/mechanic in 1913 and in 1920 he was posted to Darwin. This was the catalyst for his interest in all things aboriginal. Mountford became a recognised expert in the area publishing at least 40 scientific papers and a multitude of books on aboriginal art, custom and culture. From 1935 until 1963 he participated in or organised numerous ethnological expeditions across Australia and received many high accolades and awards for his research, including two honorary doctorates and an appointment as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).